The Right Reverend Christine Hardman, Bishop of Newcastle, today issued this statement following the sad news of the death of Jack Charlton.
"We’ve learned with great sadness that Jack Charlton’s life came to an end on Friday. Jack Charlton was a true football ‘great’ who brought so much pleasure not least as part of that historic England World Cup team in 1966. And he was more than just a great footballer and manager, he was a great human being who was kind and genuine. Beginning his life in Ashington and ending it in Northumberland, he was a true son of the North East. I am giving thanks for his life and holding his wife Pat, and their family especially in my prayers."